Dollywood family adventure park’s 2006 season offers guests the new Timber Tower™ thrill ride, a fifth festival, two new production shows plus unique dining and retail experiences.
“You don’t have to look very far to find something fun to do at Dollywood this year,” said Dolly Parton. “It’s a whole lot to take in for a girl in high heels!”
Expect to hear a mighty “tim-berrr!” at Dollywood with the addition of the $6.5 million Timber Tower, the only ride of its kind in the U.S. Adventure peaks aboard Timber Tower as the ride’s passenger carrier spins 11 times per minute on a 55-foot journey into the air. Situated in a 5,100-sq.-ft. pond, Timber Tower takes passengers on six complete side-to-side “dips” in various directions at 60-degree angles, “dropping” riders almost within reach of a sawmill blade, bear cave, water geyser, beaver dam and a treacherous log jam.
Timber Tower is the centerpiece of Dollywood’s newest family-fun area Timber Canyon which also features Lumberjack Lifts, two 30-foot-tall kid-powered towers that climb 25 feet high. Younger guests will enjoy Lil’ Loggers’ Landing, an interactive play area created just for children 48” and under featuring the Beaver Creek Boat Float and Beaver Creek. For dining, the new 150-seat LumberCamp restaurant serves hand-battered, deep-fried catfish and chicken tenders, fried rolls and all the trimmings.
In its sixth year, Dollywood’s Festival of Nations (April 1-May 7) features the world-renowned Moscow Circus; Australia’s Swoon sway pole act; the Royal Stiltwalkers of Merchtem Belgium, the Medieval Swordsmen of Soriano nel Cimino from Italy as well as performing groups from Ukraine, Zambia, Trinidad, Czech Republic, Ecuador and China.
For summertime fun, Dollywood’s KidsFestsm (June 16-Aug. 6) offers special children’s entertainment and events including the new show Big Cats & Magic, featuring grand illusions and majestic cats. Additional entertainment includes Clifford the Big Red Dog™ LIVE; SpongeBob SquarePants™ turbo action ride; Penguin Group USA presents Dolly’s Imagination Playhouse, and VeggieTales® new video Larry Boy & the Bad Apple.
Fall brings the new Bluegrass & BBQ festival (Sept. 15-27), featuring the BIG BBQ and bluegrass music’s biggest names—Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (Sept. 15-16), Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys (Sept. 24-25), the Del McCoury Band (Sept. 26-27), Riders in the Sky (Sept. 17-18), Cherryholmes (Sept. 19-20), the Peasall Sisters (Sept. 15-20), The Chapmans (Sept. 23-24), Marty Raybon (Sept. 22-23) and Melonie Cannon (Sept. 16-17) plus Dollywood’s signature bluegrass band Naomi & the Wood Brothers and the Smoky Mountain String Band. Alongside the music, Dollywood serves a variety of barbecue ranging from the Carolina’s roasted pork to tangy Texas Southwestern brisket.
Dollywood returns to its Southern gospel roots with National Gospel & Harvest Celebration (Sept. 29-Oct. 28) featuring the Kingdom Heirs, the McKameys, Gold City, Dottie Rambo, the Florida Boys, the Isaacs, Karen Peck & New River, the Whisnants, the Mark Trammell Trio, CrossWay Quartet, Dove Brothers, the Booth Brothers, Legacy Five, the Anchormen, the Crabb Family, Mike Bowling Group, Palmetto State, Tony Gore, Mark Bishop, Michael Combs, Mercy’s Mark, the Perrys, the Pfeifers, the Dixie Echoes, Ricky Atkinson & Compassion, the Dixie Melody Boys and the Steeles.
During Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 4-Dec. 30), Dollywood unveils its most elaborate stage production ever—Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland! Featuring a cast of 20 performers and a fully-orchestrated musical score, this family classic mesmerizes audiences with imaginative puppetry, amazing acrobats and spectacular scenery—all highlighted by the show-stopping march of the toy soldiers!
Dreamland Drive-In, Dollywood’s new musical review, opens May 13, and features ‘50s and ‘60s hits performed by a 12-member cast and a fully-orchestrated musical score including such memorable songs as “Day Dream Believer,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Grapevine” and many more. Other shows include Country Crossroads, Back Where I Come From, Naomi & the Wood Brothers, The Kingdom Heirs, The Kinfolks Show, and James Rogers One-Man Show.
In the park’s Showstreet area, the aroma of chocolates, candies, ice cream, taffy and more greets guests at the new 6,500-sq.-ft. Dollywood’s Sweet Shoppe which includes a 100-seat ice cream parlor; a candy shop featuring confections made from Dollywood’s signature recipes; and a taffy kitchen where more than 60 flavors of taffy are made by Dollywood’s master candy makers.
Dolly’s Closet, a new women’s apparel shop in the park’s Adventures in Imagination area, offers the latest women’s fashions. A full-time seamstress is on hand to customize items with a variety of embellishments. From classic Capri pants to two-piece suits, Dolly’s Closet features misses and plus sizes along with a line of accessories.
Dollywood operating days and hours vary. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit
www.dollywood.com.
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